Sam Kerr says she ready to play for the Matildas in Monday night’s crucial World Cup clash against Canada
After missing the Matildas first two games of the World Cup, captain Sam Kerr has declared herself ‘available’ for Australia’s battle with Canada on Monday night.
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Matildas captain Sam Kerr has enjoyed gaining a “new perspective” from the bench as she prepares to make her much-needed comeback from a calf injury in Australia’s crunch FIFA Women’s World Cup clash against Canada in Melbourne on Monday night.
After missing Australia’s first two games of the tournament, including Thursday’s shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria in Brisbane, Kerr said she was “definitely available” for the Matildas’ date with the Olympic champions.
“I feel good … as good as I can be,” she said after donning the boots at training on Saturday.
“The plan has always been the same – miss the first two games and reassess.
“I’m going to be there. I’m going to be ready.”
However, Kerr would not reveal how much of a part she would play in Monday’s match.
“I would love to tell you guys everything but … that’s a massive thing that the opposition wants to know,” she said.
“I’m definitely going to be available but how we decide to use that is not to be given to the opposition.”
Kerr said she had overcome the initial “shock” of suffering the injury only the day before Australia’s opening match of the World Cup. a 1-0 win over Ireland on July 20 on Sydney.
”I still had hope. I’ve never had an injury like this to my career,” she said.
“Normally when I’ve been injured it’s been a big one where I’ve been out for months on end. It’s an easy pill to swallow, but these (smaller) ones are a bit more annoying.
“It was obviously disappointing, and then I had to suck it up. I’m part of a team. I’m not part of an individual sport. It’s not about me. I’ve had to put the team first.
“I’ve been lucky enough over the last couple of years (that) I’ve always been on the pitch for this team, and I’ve always had teammates that have not been on the pitch and supported me and got me over the line.
“That’s been my role the last 10 days and to be honest, it’s an honour to be here.
“I feel really lucky and privileged to be here, so the most important thing is that I’m a good teammate, and I support my team.”
Kerr said she was “much more nervous” sitting on the bench than playing.
“I’m not a good bench-sitter. Obviously the Ireland game was really enjoyable, and then the Nigeria game was actually quite good, and then it just flipped – but that’s sport.
“I have to do what I can to help the team win, so I’ve enjoyed being on the other side and realising how important it is, the role you play from the bench.
“If anything, it’s given me a new perspective on this whole team sport and it takes a whole team.
“It’s been it’s been really enjoyable other, than the fact that I can’t play.”
Kerr was “really confident” the Matildas would beat Canada to guarantee themselves a spot in the round-of-16.
”(Friday) was a day to digest the game (against Nigeria) and go through it, but today (Saturday) we woke up with a spring in our step. Everyone’s feeling really good.” she said.
Originally published as Sam Kerr says she ready to play for the Matildas in Monday night’s crucial World Cup clash against Canada
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